UAE A330 Tanker deploys to the USA

The United Arab Emirates Air Force recently deployed one of its A330 MRTT tankers to March AFB in California, stopping off at Manchester, England on both the outward and return legs. The UAEAF has a fleet of 3 MRTTs and they have seldom been seen apart from occasional appearances at trade shows. This may be the first time they have deployed one overseas in support of other assets, believed to be F-16s in this case, attending a Red Flag exercise at Nellis AFB in Nevada.

The UAE is one of only four nations so far to operate the MRTT, with the UK (mid-way through receiving 14 a/c), Australia (5) and Saudi Arabia (3) making up the current operator list. France is expected to join the list in the next few years with an order for up to 12 aircraft. India may well also order up to 12 a/c in the next few years.